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Unclear Government Regulations
May Discourage Foreign Investors

By

David Woodruff Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Jan. 25, 2001 12:01 a.m. ET

It is no secret that economic activity in countries from China to Turkey is handicapped by opaque regulations and confusing procedures. The lack of clarity creates uncertainty in business dealings, which deters foreign investors and makes it more expensive for governments to borrow money.

Now a new study by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP proposes a ranking of 35 of the world's major economies, based on five different measures of transparency for businesses. Dubbed the Opacity Index, it shows companies where they are likeliest...